Bill Virgin – Author, Speaker, Columnist, Pastor

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Help, There’s Water in my Boat!

Doesn’t it seem to come crashing in all at once? The storms of life, such as, a vehicle breaking down unexpectedly and maybe being laid off your job or even a death of a loved one can set your world in turmoil. Life at times can become very overwhelming to say the least. The Psalmist says in Ps 107:28-29 says, “they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. “NKJV

When God’s people have a right understanding and trust in their Heavenly Father they will cry out to Him in what I call storms of life, with confidence of His leadership. Yet on the other hand, when God’s people or those that have been around church most of their lives, but are shallow in their understanding will be disillusioned and possibly offended at the Lord.

It’s when we begin to look at the waves and wind that our eyes get off of Jesus and fixed on the circumstances around us.(tweet)

The disciples were faced with this scenario in Mk 4:37-41, where it says a great storm arose as Jesus and his disciples were traveling across in a fishing boat one evening. Jesus had just finished ministering to the multitudes about growing in the things of God and encouraged His disciples to go to the other side with Him. And wouldn’t you know it, in the midst of their journey arises a great storm. The wind began to blow and the waves beat against the boat, filling it with water. Water in your boat is never good and would make most passengers very uncomfortable. Well, the disciples being concerned came to inform Jesus that they had a major crisis. The story progresses letting us know that they found Him at the stern of the boat sleeping on a pillow. In their dismays they woke Him with fear in their voice, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? In other words, because Jesus was at peace and

We forget that He is the one that speaks peace to storms and everything becomes calm(Tweet

comfortably sleeping, they thought He didn’t care whether they perished or not. But Jesus answered their accusations by speaking peace and a calmness to this storm. He then addressed them asking why they were so fearful and had no faith? He was letting them know if they would have really trusted in His guidance there was no reason for fear because He will bring peace to the storm.

More than not, we all fall into that same category as the disciples when in the midst of our storms. Unfortunately, we also at times can get offended at Jesus when we aren’t confident in His leadership. We forget that He is the one that speaks peace to storms and everything becomes calm. Jesus wants us to find the same place of peace in the midst of chaos that the disciples found Him in. Not in a pit of denial but a place of total confidence and trust. He wants you to have peace in the midst of the storms of life. In Isaiah 26:3 we are exhorted that if we keep our eyes on Him, He will keep us in perfect Peace.

It’s when we begin to look at the waves and wind that our eyes get off of Jesus and fixed on the circumstances around us. Peter had great faith in Matt. 14:24-31 when he stepped out of the boat in obedience to the word of Jesus. But it was when he began to focus on the storm that his lack of faith began to sink him.

3 thoughts on “Help, There’s Water in my Boat!”

Yes isn’t this the truth. You bring a 2000 yr old story to relevance today. The storms abound…all we have to do remember the Word and speak-apply it. But….you have to read it to know it to remember it to speak it.

Very good writing Pastor Bill. I can see the times in my life when I was like Peter and started to sink but I thank God for Jesus and people like you who threw me a life line so that I would not drown. Life can be hard and so unfair but God is good and always there. Thank you for your encouraging words and for all you do to help build us up in life. You and Laurie are a blessing from God and we love you both very much, Kat & Dan

You Blessed man of God. I love you and your precious family. Such an encouraging article. I can never thank Our risen blessed Jesus enough for every drop of His Blessed Blood that He shed for me. What a mighty God we serve. When He calls me home I want to just hug & hug & hug Him.